- “Before you do something stupid,” she muttered, “I ought to explaitn a few things.”
- “Should I be concerned that you’re leading with that?” – Jin glanced sideways.
She ignored him.
- “First—ordinary sub-spaces—and I mean ordinary, not this… thing—can only carry objects. Not living beings. Why? Because time is frozen inside. You can throw in a corpse, sure. But anything alive? Dead in seconds.”
- “...Sounds scary.”
- “Second…” - She continued, raising a finger. “the size of a sub-space is based on how much mana you pour into it at creation. You can make more than one, sure, but sustaining multiple at once drains even seasoned mages. I’ve created five in my lifetime. I can maintain two, if I haven’t skipped breakfast.”
- “How do you put things in, then?” - Jin tilted his head.
- “You hold the item and think about hiding it away. Like stuffing it into a pocket that’s not really there. To retrieve it—just think of what you need, reach in, and it should pop out for you. Convenient, isn’t it?” She gave him a smug smile, clearly proud of that part. - “Wanna try with that sword of yours?”
Jin nodded, pulled out his spare iron sword, and focused.
The blade vanished from his grip in an instant.
- “Okay, that’s kinda cool.” - He stared at his empty hand.
Then he thought of the sword again.
A faint shimmer appeared in his palm—and with a soft flash, the sword reformed in his hand.
- “I like this trick, what’s next?”
- “What’s next,” Elrion said dryly, “is testing how much your sub-space can hold. By that, we will…HEY”
Before Elrion even finish her sentence, without a word, Jin walked toward the crack—and stepped straight through it.
- “You idiot!” Elrion caught by surprise, yelled.
A second later, his voice echoed from beyond.
- “Duchess, you need to come see this.”
Before she could shout back, a hand reached out from the rift and grabbed hers.
The training hall vanished.
The next thing she knew, they stood in the middle of an impossibly large, cream-white chamber. The air was cool and fresh. The floor was smooth polished brownstone. There were no pillars, no furniture—just an empty room the size of a warehouse.
And on one wall, Jin’s spare sword hung neatly on a conjured hook.
Jin stood beside her, hands on hips, proud grin on his face.
Elrion’s jaw hung open.
- “Where… where are we?” she whispered. “What is this?”
- “My sub-space,” Jin replied casually. “Newly made and pretty spacious, huh?”
- “Sub-space…? By the magic gods—this isn’t a sub-space. This is a bloody estate! You could build a 3LDK house in here!”
- “Ehh, I thought so too,” he said. “Also means I can walk in, so… that probably counts as being able to store living things, right?”
- “You…” she turned to him, face half-panicked. “What if something had happened to you in here?!”
- “I’m sorry, but I’m always like this.” He shrugged.
Elrion covered her face with both hands. Exhausted from what happened, she started to circle around, touching the walls while muttering to herself
- “Perfect spatial curve… stabilized mana density… neutral environmental pressure… There’s no distortion, no fold tension…It’s like a total independent space all together”
- “…You want to try something while we’re inside?” – Jin asked, glanced at Elrion
- “Like what?” – she grumbled
- “Like… attacking something. Testing the structure or this space’s rules”
He then conjured a compressed water arrow and fired. The blast struck the spare sword on the wall. However, nothing happened. No sound, no movement nor any visible damage.
- “Sound fun. Now’s my turn!” Elrion’s eyes lit up immediately. It would seem like her researcher’s spirits has come back.
She summoned her newest creation—Blizzard—and launched it straight at the weapon.
Still nothing. Not even a frozen mark on the wall.
From there on… their minds collided in glorious madness. it was a total chaos.
For the next hours, they went wild—trying to flood the room, scorching it, trying fire and frost, hurling attacks at the walls, at the sword, even at each other…
- “Okay, let’s test direct damage.”
- “You mean hit each other by magic? Or physically?” Jin asked, half-laughing.
Yet nothing left a dent nor even registered as damage.
By the time they were breathing hard and shoulders sagging, they finally stopped.
- “Let’s call it here,” Elrion panted. “Must be evening already, beside I’ve collected lots of new data thanks to you. You might have created a magic artifact level sub-space. The kind spoken of in old ancient ruins. Made by gods…”
- “Nah, that wouldn’t be the case. Holy Crap—I was supposed to visit Marquis Grondel after this!” - Jin’s eyes widened.
- “Then you’d hurry,” she said, wiping sweat from her brow. “He’s tougher than his forge. Let’s get out of here”
They both thought about leaving—and like it obeyed the idea itself, the exit door appeared on the wall behind them.
They stepped through.
Back in the training hall.
The sun hadn't moved.
The clock on the wall ticked—one minute past the time they’d left.
They looked at each other.
- “…Despite all that,” Elrion said - “Time stop still applies, apparently.”
- “Meaning we will need to experiment it some more” - Jin nodded slowly
- “Indeed. For now, how about food?” She exhaled.
- “Yes, please.”
Just then, the door to the training hall opened with a soft creak.
And Nira peeked in; her voice bright.
- “Master Elrion, Sir Jin—lunch is ready.”
The two mages sat in silence. Then Elrion stood and dusted herself off.
- “Just in time. We will see how it goes another time then.”
- “...Can we eat in the sub-space next time?” - Jin smiled and followed.
- “Don’t push…well, why not.” – Erlrion tried to rebuttal before she held it in and put a smirk on her face.
Nira stood at the door, unable to comprehend what was happened here. Still, she led the two master-apprentice to their dining room. Inside, as if they have already eaten, few people in robes could be spotted here and there. While Elrion went to wash her face off, Jin and Nira choose a table near the window, outside this time are…clouds, so Jin thought that they’ve just ported on a top of some mountain.
- “Were we late?” – Jin asked
- “Nope, most of the people who are living here are researchers or unpredictable mages like our master here. So, they are either do not eat at this time or they’re preferred to eat right at their station. So, this is kind of usual”. – Nira casually replied.
- “I see” – Jin hesitantly asked – “Um…where are we now?”
- “ah, you know at the most northern region where Durakhov Mountain range is? I think we just ported here when I came to the training room to get master and you” – Nira said while preparing the table.
- “wasn’t this area belonging to demon race? What if we’re attacked?” – Jin confused
- “You don’t need to worry, surrounded the tower are invisible and distracting barrier. Anyone who got near the tower will be passed right through to the other side without knowing anything. Well, unless they are exceptional individual though, like the demon’s generals or Archduke Zalkath himself. However, those are busy with their own little battles with the Empires and dwarf’s kingdom.” – Nira explained in seriousness.
- “Hm…you’re pretty knowledgeable about the world despite cooked up in the tower, aren’t ya?”
- “Was that an insult? But no, as you can see, we have “doorway” in various place around the continent, and that means even in Demons’s capital - Nyzzareth, the Obsidian Citadel; dwarf’s place - Thuldarrum, Hall of Hammers up the Ironvein Mountain range; or Master’s birthplace - in Silvershoud forest” – Nira braged with her head up high. “Also, we have magic spell stores in every lobby, so we heard pretty much all kind of things around, even if we don’t want to”
- “Wow, you guys have impressive information network here” – Jin exclaimed
- “Thank you, but what’s is “network”? that sounds cool. Anyway, I have been hearing about you a lot since master came back from the Royal Duel Match day. She thought really highly of you and your “meteor” spell. Which made me really regret for not being able to attended”. – Nira leaned toward Jin with excitement of a child who just receive her new toy.
- “Really?” – Jin glanced at Elrion
- “Yep, though I have only served her 10 years and she158 years old, I have never heard or see her being like that regarding about anyone before. Well, of course she did brag and did crazy things with spells, but with a person like you…” – She finished her sentence there with a big head-shake.
- “Somehow, I don’t doubt that” – Jin laughed along.
- “Ok, what did master showed you today? Her new ice spell which imitated your “Meteor”? Tell me.”
- “Erm…yes and yes….”
Jin then told her what he and Elrion did back in the training room which made Nira excited and put her hands on face like she’s trying to hold her breath as much as possible.
- I wanna see it, I wanna enter too. Next time, next time you guys must let me in too” – Nira insisted.
Jin gave a half-smile, raising his brows.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
- “You sure? Might get roped into live testing fire arrows while dodging flying ice.”
- “I’ll wear armor,” she said without hesitation.
Just then, a familiar voice floated over.
- “Plotting your way into my experiments, Nira?”
Elrion approached, drying her face with a small towel, her hair slightly damp but her eyes as sharp as ever. She slid into the seat beside them like a general returning to a war table.
- “Don’t encourage her,” she said to Jin, though her tone was more amused than stern. “She’s already snuck into three of my restricted trials this year.”
- “They weren’t restricted,” Nira huffed. “They were... discreet.”
- “Sounds like you’ve got a reputation.” Jin chuckled.
- “I am very efficient at not dying,” Nira said proudly, lifting her chin.
Elrion sipped from a cup of tea the server had just brought.
- “Good. You’ll need that if you plan to keep up with this one.”
She nudged her head toward Jin.
Nira smiled quietly at that, the kind of smile that lingered longer than a joke.
Outside the window, clouds rolled past like drifting snow dunes. Inside, the dining hall remained quiet, the hum of ambient magic settling like a soft echo in the walls.
Jin leaned back slightly, letting the warmth of the tea and food settle in his gut. For the first time all day, he felt still.
Strange day - he muttered.
The lunch dishes had barely cleared before Nira led Jin back toward the teleportation chamber.
Despite having just spent hours breaking physics with sub-space manipulation, Jin still glanced around like a kid being told recess was over. Mages walked by with stacks of scrolls, potions humming in crystal vials, and soft chanting echoing from distant corridors. It felt… alive. And he’d barely scratched the surface.
They stopped at the circular chamber near the entry hallway. Runes flickered faintly on the floor as Nira tapped a panel to awaken the glyphs.
- “This’ll take you back to the Solaria lobby,” she said, tucking her hands behind her back. “But next time, you’ll have a registered Tower seal.”
- “Registered?” Jin blinked.
- “Yep, once you’re formally listed as Master Elrion’s apprentice, you can teleport in and out without an escort. Tower access, research floor rights, the works. So, do remember to visit or report regularly.”
- “Was that… a threat or an order?” He raised an eyebrow.
- “Both.” Her grin widened. “Now go. But promise me you’ll come back soon.”
- “Promise, senior” Jin gave her a playful salute.
The room pulsed once with light—then everything shifted. The air changed.
In a blink, he stood once more in the lobby of the very same three-story stone building in Solaria’s noble district.
He stepped out the front door into the sunlight, squinting a little. It was like returning from a dream. He turned and looked up at the unimpressive grey walls one more time, eyes scanning the wooden sign overhead:
Solaria Central Magic Research Division
He exhaled through his nose, half a smile tugging at his mouth.
“Yeah right… Magic Tower” he chuckled, then turned and walked off.
The blacksmith district was hotter, noisier, and smelled of charred metal and sweat—the exact opposite of the Magic Tower’s controlled chill.
Jin stopped in front of a squat; broad building marked by a bold iron sign overhead:
“The Blacksteel Anvil”
By Grondel Emberforge, Master Smith of Radiant
The hammer-and-anvil emblem above the doorway glowed with a faint orange hue, enchanted to reflect the forge’s current state—active and burning hot.
Thick, soot-darkened stone formed the walls. The front windows were fogged from the inside, glowing faintly from the forge’s interior heat. A rack of weapons stood in a display case outside—nothing flashy, but everything perfectly balanced and clearly crafted by a master.
Jin pushed the heavy door open.
The shop’s interior was cluttered but organized. Tools hung from every available space. Blades, axes, and even a few tower shields lined the walls. Heat rolled out from the back like a dragon’s breath.
A voice boomed from within.
- “You’re late, lad!”
- “Good afternoon to you too, Marquis Grondel.” - Jin stepped forward.
The dwarf emerged from behind a half-finished war hammer, his beard braided in three thick cords, soot clinging to his apron. His eyes locked on Jin’s waist, grumbling
- “Now, where’s the blade?”
Jin unsheathed his self-forged sword and handed it over without a word.
Grondel took it like one might hold a holy relic. He turned it over slowly, running thick fingers along the edge, the spine, the grip. His expression shifted from professional curiosity to something more… reverent.
Leaving the front shop to his assistant, he gestured for Jin to follow, then led him into the back room—a private forge chamber, noticeably quieter, the air heavier. Tools here were older, more worn, yet arranged with precise care. A runic forge burned steadily in the center, surrounded by enchanted vents and glowing stone panels.
- “Tell me,” Grondel said, placing the sword gently on the anvil. “How’d you make it?”
- “Honestly,” – Jin scratched his neck – “I’ve watched someone did it before so I mimicked the processes. Of course, I also made guesses and mixed something along the way.”
- “Your tellin’ me,” Grondel twisted his brows and said slowly, “you made this just from watchin’ someone else do it; mixed the materials like you mixed ingredients from kitchen… and never touched a real forge before?”
- “Pretty much, yeah…is that bad?” – Jin hesitated.
- “Bad…that was unheard before. But…that was also brilliant, I like it. However, it’s also fact that you’re lucky to obtain this precious.” – Grondel smirked while looking at the sword in front of him.
Then, he changed to examine Jin’s hands. Flipped it, turned it like he studied a strange material or reading a book from his hand. As if satisfied, he turned back to the sword, whispering something in Dwarvish under his breath. The sword shimmered faintly in response.
- “She’s ready,” he murmured. “But to make her sing the way she wants… we’ll need the right materials.”
He raised three fingers.
- “First—Embersteel. Might got some in the back, If not we need to melt down old stock. Fortunately, that was not the real issues. Second—Moonlight Ore. That’s the real challenge.”
- “Is that a rare material? How rare is it?” – Jin asked
- “Elven territory.” – Grondel grunted – “An uncommon ore, only found in the glades of Vael’thalorien – Crown of the Starborn. Maybe in one of their enchanted mines. The challenge not placed in how to obtain it but how to get in there. Elf is known to not let outsiders roam free in their territory nor take things outside easily. Unless, you have their permission or at least a title.”
- “Elf…” – Jin thought of Duchess Elrion. “She might help if I asked right?”
- “You know someone like that, lad?” – Grondel curious
- “Yeah, and I’m sure you know too. Duchess Elrion Vaelis” – Jin replied
- “hm…yeah, that old hag might have. But I dislike her. Dwarves and Elves are not fond of each other, you see” – Hearing the name of the Duchess, Grondel become grumpy for reasons.
- “I’ll see what I can do” – Jin laughed at the thought of Grondel and Elrion are at each other throat.
- “Then you best ask ‘em. I’ll prep everything else.” He jabbed a thick finger toward the sword. “Leave her here and go get the last material before noon tomorrow. I’ll get started.”
- “I’ll bring the ore as soon as I can.” - Jin nodded.
- “When this is done, lad… your blade won’t just cut steel. It’ll carry fire and memory both.”
The sun had barely begun its descent by the time Jin found himself once again standing in front of the most underwhelming building with the most overwhelming contents in the capital.
He opened the door and stepped inside, half-expecting the receptionist Magister Keval to throw him a glare. Instead, it was someone else who noticed him first.
- “Jin?” a familiar voice chirped.
He turned—there she was, silver braid bouncing slightly as she walked over, sleeves rolled and ink smudged on her gloves. Nira Velith, faithful assistant to the Duchess of Controlled Chaos.
- “You’re… back already?” she blinked, clearly startled. “It’s barely been a day! I thought you’d have run to some mountain to process your trauma or something”
- “It’s not to that point. However, I need a favor.” Jin gave a helpless laugh. “I’m here for something called—” he paused, lowering his voice like it was a rare delicacy, “Moonlight Ore.”
- “Moonlight Ore? For what?” Nira tilted her head.
- “Upgrading my sword,” he said, “Grondel’s working on it, but he said I’d need Moonlight Ore. Embersteel he’s got. This one’s on me.”
- “And here I thought you came back just to see me.” – Nira made a pouting face
- “I mean, that’s might be a strong secondary reason.”
- “Come on, smooth-talker.” Nira smirked and gestured for him to follow. “The fifth floor. That’s where we keep the student-bound material stockpile.”
They stepped into the teleportation lift and reappeared on the fifth floor of the true Tower—quiet, lined with long storage corridors and catalogued magic materials locked behind enchanted barriers.
As they walked, Nira spoke casually, gesturing toward one of the alcoves.
- “Moonlight Ore’s not rare per se. But definitely not common. It’s classified as uncommon-tier, mostly because it only grows around Silvershroud, and you know... no sane person goes mining in Silvershroud unless they’re elf-born or suicidal.”
They stopped in front of a crystal-panelled vault. Inside, stacked neatly in rows, were moon-pale stones glowing faintly like starlight wrapped in silk.
- “But Moonlight Ore has its value,” Nira went on. “Excellent mana conductivity. That’s why we make apprentice mages study it. It amplifies spells—especially fire, lightning, and illusion—by up to threefold if used right.”
- “Three times the output? For staffs?”
- “Yup. And when fused with world tree roots, it’s the perfect staff core. We also embed slivers of it into mage-grade breastplates to reduce magic damage—sometimes up to 20% against incompatible types.”
- “That sounds… overpowered.” Jin let out a long whistle.
- “Exactly. Which is why we don’t trade or resell it. This is elven-craft, and elves don’t exactly throw these things into the market. So, no pawn shops, no bartering, and no getting bribed in back alleys. Got it?”
- “Crystal clear.” – Jin gave a firm nod.
She approached the panel and activated the allocation seal, pulling out two crescent-shaped stones, each faintly pulsing with silver light.
- “Now, remember because you’re under Duchess Elrion’s mentorship now,” she explained, “you’re authorized for two units a week—only for research, spell crafting, or equipment enhancement.”
Jin took the two ores with care, putting them into his inventory crack. They were lighter than he expected… and warmer. Like living moonlight trapped in solid form.
- “You better make that sword amazing,” she teased. “If Elrion brags about it more than you, I’m going to be so”
- “Thanks, Nira.”
By the time Jin returned to the inn, night had fully cloaked the city in soft lanternlight. He stepped inside just in time to see Serenya and Lyrderu walking in from the other side, both dusted with road wear and quiet smiles.
- “Hey,” he greeted, waving one hand lazily. “You two look like you’ve had a day.”
Serenya’s expression lit up, and she quickened her pace to him.
- “And you look like you’ve broken at least three laws of magical balance.”
- “Four,” Lyrderu added, flopping into a chair.
They gathered at the inn’s small dining hall for a simple but warm dinner—shared laughter, soft conversation, and stories traded like old friends.
Serenya told of moonlit halls and veiled popes. Jin spoke vaguely of magic towers and flaming scarecrows. Lyr rolled his eyes and mentioned getting wrangled into babysitting a rookie adventurer party.
By the time they all stood and parted ways for the night, Jin found himself looking down at his inventory once more—where the Moonlight Ore pulsed gently, waiting to be reforged into something greater.